What are the options for the automated quilting design software that can be attached to a longarm? I am finding that I don't love FMQ on it and am entertaining getting one of the automated software systems. Which ones are out there, what are the costs and how do you like the one you have experience with?

I just bought QBOT but don't have it yet! It was the demo model for a store in Ohio with a branch here in KY. I got a great price on it ($3000 off) and I'm paying a little extra, less than $200, to have it upgraded to the newer version. I've watched the videos and I'm really looking forward to working with it. It does a lot--unfortunately, I don't know anything about any of the other programs but a lot of people use them on the yahoo groups I'm on. Good luck on finding something.

And then you can get really crazy with the true longarm robotics such as Compuquilter, Intelliquilter, Statler Stitcher and lord knows what.

Please be aware that most if not all of these are not compatible with all frames and/or sewing machines. It is not the software so much as it is the hardware. I have a PC Quilter which is fine & dandy for the B-Line Studio Frame I started with but needs several modifications made to the ProFlex frame I now have. The Q-Bot hardware seems to be more easily adaptable but the software to design your own patterns is much more expensive and not included in the base price. It is really cool, though and I think I saw a "Grace" version of the Q-Bot and I don't know what the difference between the 2 is.

What are the options for the automated quilting design software that can be attached to a longarm? I am finding that I don't love FMQ on it and am entertaining getting one of the automated software systems. Which ones are out there, what are the costs and how do you like the one you have experience with?

It all depends on which machine, which robot & which frame. You can buy a brand new Juki TL98 and a Little Gracie Frame for less than $2,000. Adding the PC Quilter would be maybe $1,500 but you can find a used one for much less. This would be the very basic beginner setup though. I started with a B-Line Studio frame ($1,000) and an Elna 7200 ($1,300) but the Elna is really an all around, bells & whistles galore machine so it wasn't strictly for the frame. I added the Professional model PC Quilter a couple years later as well as Max Throat & Free Motion Max. I think that was right at $3,000 for all and all purchased brand new--again, used is considerably cheaper & fairly easy to find.

This past spring, I stumbled across a Voyager 17 with stitch regulator and a SuperQuilter ProFlex frame on ebay. There wasn't a very good description but I knew what it was and have been drooling over the longer armed machines for a couple years now. I got the whole package so cheap that I'm embarrassed to say how much. I know it was the steal of a lifetime but good things come to those who wait & do their homework while they are waiting.

I watched the Q-Bot system and asked the rep a few questions while in Paducah this past April. It is neat & I really liked how easily the software could digitize designs but I all ready own a robot that works just fine. I'll just keep digitizing the hard way for now although I'm fairly excited about the beta version of Embird 2010. If I can figure out how to use it, I might be able to get over my envy of the Q-Bot software--LOL.